Reproductive outcomes of women with moderate to severe intrauterine adhesions after transcervical resection of adhesion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine adhesions (IUA) refers to the adhesion of the inner wall of the uterus, resulting in complete or partial occlusion of the uterine cavity, which causes a series of symptoms. Transcervical resection of adhesion (TCRA) is the standard surgical method for patients with IUA. However, the recurrence rate of women with moderate to severe IUA is high and it has raised a big concern about the reproductive outcomes.

METHODS: We conducted a scoping review by using 4 databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and web of science, to retrieve relevant literature from September 1, 2001, to February 1, 2023, and to explore the reproductive outcomes in women with moderate to severe IUA after TCRA treatment. Following defined guidelines, data extraction was carried out by 2 researchers, and the findings were examined by 2 senior academics. The papers were evaluated by 2 reviewers using the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Using a form developed especially for this study, pertinent information was retrieved, including the first author, research design, study duration, age, intervention measurement, pregnancy rate, techniques of conception, and live birth rate. Two researchers conducted a quality assessment to determine any potential bias using the Cochrane technique and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RevMan 5.4.1 (The Cochrane Collaboration, London, United Kingdom) was used for data analysis, while I2 was used to evaluate heterogeneity.

RESULTS: In total, this study included 2099 participants. After a detailed systematic review and meta-analyses, the results showed that pregnancy and live birth rates were increased significantly after TCRA, and the risk difference of the pregnancy rate was 1.75 [1.17, 2.62]. Besides, in 2 retrospective studies, the risk difference of live birth rate was 2.26, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.99 to 2.58. Moreover, the menstrual status of women also was improved, and the risk difference of hypermenorrhoea and amenorrhea were -0.28 [-0.37, -0.19] and -0.06 [0.26, 0.13], respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, TCRA is the useful strategy for the treatment of moderate to severe IUA to enhance the reproductive outcomes in women.